Systems and methods for producing annotated class discussion videos including responsive post-production content

ABSTRACT

Video production systems and methods are provided for generating annotated class discussion videos, which contain real-time student commentary post-production annotations responsive to such student commentary, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the video production system includes a display device, a dedicated video input source, and a video processing device. The video processing device contains, in turn, a wireless receiver configured to receive wireless input signals from the dedicated video input source and a plurality of devices executing a student commentary capture application during a presentation, a controller operably coupled to the wireless receiver, and a memory storing computer-readable instructions. When executed by the controller, the computer-readable instructions cause the video processing device to generate an output video containing student commentary synchronized with the presentation as captured, at least in part, utilizing the dedicated video input source. The output video is then presented on the display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/611,148, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following generally relates to the production of digital videocontent, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for generatingannotated class discussion videos, which contain real-time studentcommentary, post-production annotations responsive to studentcommentary, or a combination thereof.

BACKGROUND

In the United States and elsewhere, a large majority of adults nowroutinely carry smartphones capable of capturing and wirelesslydisseminating high quality video. Leveraging this, video productionsystems have been recently introduced that serve as a central node forreceiving, processing, and otherwise combining video input feeds frommultiple smartphones or similar wireless devices having video capturecapabilities. In so doing, such video production systems permit groupsof relatively non-professional users equipped with smartphones orsimilar devices to work collaboratively in capturing multiple videofeeds of an event, while one or more group members navigate between thevideo feeds to generate a desired output stream. The end result is aprofessional-style video production, which can be readily disseminatedfor viewing, sharing, publication, archiving, and other purposes. Suchvideo production systems have been well-received by schools and otherlearning institutions for generating video content of community schoolfunctions, school sporting activities, and other school-related eventsutilizing any number of smartphones operated by students, facultymembers, and possibly parents during events. The full potential of suchvideo production systems remains unrealized, however, particularly as itrelates to opportunities to further support student educationalendeavors.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Video production systems and methods are provided for generatingannotated class discussion videos, which contain real-time studentcommentary, post-production annotations responsive to such studentcommentary, or a combination thereof. Embodiments of the method arecarried-out by a video production system including a video processingdevice and a display device. In an embodiment, the method includes thestep or process of receiving, at the video processing device, at least afirst video input stream from at least a first dedicated video inputsource of an educational presentation, such as a prerecorded lesson orlive demonstration. Student commentary data is also received at thevideo processing device, as transmitted from a plurality ofstudent-operated devices during the educational presentation. Apreliminary or raw commentary-containing video of the educationalpresentation is generated by the video processing device, which containsstudent commentary derived from the student commentary data andsynchronized to the appropriate timepoints at which such comments weresubmitted or captured during the presentation. Afterwards, the rawcommentary-containing video is outputted to the display device forpresentation thereon. In certain embodiments, the method furtherincludes the steps or processes of: (i) after outputting the rawcommentary-containing video, receiving explanatory content responsive tothe synchronized student commentary contained in commentary-containingvideo; and (ii) utilizing the video processing device to furthergenerate an annotated class discussion video of the educationalpresentation containing the explanatory content.

Embodiments of the method set-forth in the previous paragraph, may alsoinclude, in conjunction with receiving the first video input stream atthe video processing device, concurrently receiving a second video inputstream from a second dedicated video input source capturing theeducational presentation. Selected portions of the first video inputstream may then be combined with selected portions of the second videoinput stream when producing the raw commentary-containing video of theeducational presentation. Similarly, in other implementations, themethod may include the step or process of, in conjunction with receivingthe first video input stream at the video processing device,concurrently receiving real-time sensor data pertaining to the materialpresented during the educational presentation. A visual representationof the real-time sensor data may then be incorporated into the rawcommentary-containing video when producing the commentary-containingvideo of the educational presentation.

Further disclosed is a video processing device, which forms part of avideo production system including a display device. In an embodiment,the video processing device includes a controller configured to receivea video input stream from a dedicated video input source during aneducational presentation, a wireless receiver coupled to the controllerand configured to relay student commentary data received from aplurality of student-operated devices during the educationalpresentation, and a memory storing computer-readable instructions. Whenexecuted by the controller, the computer-readable instructions cause thevideo production system to generate a raw commentary-containing video ofthe educational presentation, which contains student commentary derivedfrom the student commentary data and synchronized to the appropriatetimepoints at which such comments were submitted or captured during thepresentation. The computer-readable instructions further cause the videoproduction systems to present the raw commentary-containing video forviewing on the display device.

The foregoing methods and variants thereof can be implemented throughsoftware or program products bearing computer-readable instructions.Various additional examples, aspects, and other features of embodimentsof the present disclosure are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a video production system suitable forcarrying-out embodiments of the methods described herein, as illustratedin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart setting-forth an exemplary method for generatingannotated class discussion videos, which contain real-time studentcommentary and/or post-production annotations responsive to studentcommentary, as carried-out by the exemplary video production systemshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts one possible implementation of the methodshown in FIG. 2 in which the video production system of FIG. 1 isutilized to generate an annotated class discussion video of a teachingsurgery, as illustrated with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a student commentary capture applicationexecuted on a student-operated device, such as a smartphone, as depictedin accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the invention is intended toprovide various examples, but it is not intended to limit the inventionor the application and uses of the invention. The term “exemplary,” asappearing throughout this document, is synonymous with the term“example” and is utilized repeatedly below to emphasize that thefollowing description provides only multiple non-limiting examples ofthe invention and should not be construed to restrict the scope of theinvention, as set-out in the claims, in any respect.

Video production systems and methods are provided for generatingannotated class discussion videos, which contain real-time studentcommentary, post-production annotations responsive to studentcommentary, and combinations thereof. Embodiments of the videoproduction system include a video processing device, which receiveswireless input signals from multiple student-operated devices during aparticular teaching lesson or educational presentation. The educationalpresentation can be, for example, a live demonstration performed by aprofessor, an instructor, or other faculty member. Alternatively, thepresentation can be a prerecorded presentation, which is played for andcollectively viewed by the student audience. The student-operateddevices can be smartphones, laptop computers, tablet computers, wearabledevices, and similar electronic devices having wireless communicationcapabilities. The student-operated devices execute a specialized programor software application for collecting student commentary during theeducational presentation and submitting such commentary to the videoprocessing device over, for example, a Wireless Local Area Network(WLAN).

In addition to the student commentary data, the video production systemalso receives at least one and possibly multiple dedicated video feeds,which visually capture or record the educational presentation from oneor more angles. The dedicated video feeds can be, for example, videofeeds captured by external cameras positioned at different locationsaround the educational presentation. In certain cases, the dedicatedvideo feeds may also include a video feed capturing imagery not visibleto an ordinary human observer, such as body imaging data, video in theinfrared or ultraviolet spectrum, or video feed captured by an internalbody (e.g., laparoscopic) camera. In the context of medicalapplications, imagery of data captured by one or more vital monitoringdevices can also be utilized in embodiments of the present disclosure.For example, such data can be presented in real-time to students viewinga presentation (e.g., a teaching surgery) via a commentary-capturesoftware application executing on the student-operated devices.Additionally or alternatively, such real-time sensor data can beincorporated into the annotated class discussion video, which mayenhance awareness of vital readings in synchronization with the timeposition of the video. Similarly, if utilized in other educationalcontexts benefiting from machine read-outs or measurements of ademonstration, such machine read-outs (or graphics indicated of theread-outs) may be incorporated into the annotated discussion video, asdesired.

The student commentary collected via the student-operated devices andreported to the video processing device during the educationalpresentation can assume various forms. Such student commentary caninclude information reflecting student understanding of the presentedmaterial, as usefully known to the individual or individualsadministering the educational presentation or their superiors. Inembodiments, the student commentary includes student queries regarding aparticular point or topic that one or more students regarded as unclearor confusing. Similarly, the student commentary can includerecommendations to further explain a particular portion of thepresentation, to more clearly identify a particular object or featureshown in the dedicated video feed, or the like. The student commentarycan be entered into the student-operated devices as text inputs, audioclips, or Graphical User Interface (GUI) touch or cursor input, to listbut a few examples. The student-operated device then transmits thisinformation as student commentary data in real-time or near real-time tothe video processing device. The video processing device extracts thestudent commentary from the student commentary data, as it is received,and tags each student comment to a particular timepoint during thepresentation. Afterwards, the video processing device generates apreliminary or raw commentary-containing video of the educationalpresentation as constructed from the dedicated video feeds and, perhaps,from additional video feeds captured by one or more of thestudent-operated devices. As indicated by the term “annotated,” the rawcommentary-containing video contains the synchronized studentcommentary; that is, the commentary submitted by the students andappearing within the raw commentary-containing video at the appropriatetimepoints during the presentation.

The raw commentary-containing video is subsequently modified to includecontent responsive to the student commentary by a professor, a teacher'said, another faculty member, a registered student, or other authorizedpersonnel member (generically referred to herein as an “instructor”).Such responsive content is referred to herein as “post-productioncontent” as this content is created after the raw commentary-containingvideo is initially produced. The post-production content may beexplanatory in nature and may include text messages or annunciationsdisplayed in conjunction with video of the educational presentation;audible replies to student queries; and/or the addition of graphicsaiding in understanding when viewing the video content, such as motiongraphics identifying particular objects shown in the video feed aboutwhich a student has inquired or has otherwise commented.

Other responsive post-production content can also be added to theannotated class discussion video, as desired, such as diagrams,pictures, or other imagery. Such post-production content can be combinedor visually blended with the captured video of the presentation invarious manners including by superimposing the post-production contentover the video imagery or by presenting the post-production content in,for example, a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) format. The post-productioncontent is thus combined with the raw commentary-containing video, whichmay remain in its original form or may be modified in some manner (e.g.,by the removal or editing of selected student commentary) to yield anannotated class discussion video. The annotated class discussion videomay then be published, disseminated, or otherwise made available to anynumber and type of desired individuals, such as the students originallyattending the educational presentation and their classmates. In certaincases, the annotated class discussion video may be availed to a widercommunity of researchers, students, or other individuals locatedthroughout the world for on-demand ng now to the drawings and withinitial reference to FIG. 1, a video production system 10 includes avideo processing device 12, which is usefully implemented in accordancewith the teachings of the present disclosure. Video production system 10is utilized in the production of a digital video content and,specifically, to produce a raw commentary-containing video of the typedescribed herein. As previously indicated and as discussed more fullybelow, the raw commentary-containing video may include imagery compiledfrom one or more video feeds captured during an educational presentationviewed by a student audience. Following generation of the rawcommentary-containing video, video production system 10 may also beutilized to generate an annotated class discussion video by furtherprocessing the raw commentary-containing video to includepost-production content responsive to the student commentary collectedduring the educational presentation.

Video production system 10 includes a video processing device 12, whichmay perform many of the processing tasks described herein. Videoprocessing device 12 may be controlled at a user interface of videoprocessing device 12, which is physically included in device 12.Additionally or alternatively, video processing device 12 may becontrolled remotely utilizing at least one control device 16, whichcommunicates with video processing device 12 over a communicationsnetwork 20. During operation of video production system 10, videoprocessing device 12 may be utilized to select and encode video contentpursuant to instructions received from control device 16. The encodedvideo program may be initially stored as data files within an externalstorage device for eventual uploading to a hosting or distributionservice 18 operating on communications network 20. As genericallydepicted in FIG. 1, network 20 may encompass the Internet, as well asWLANs, Wide Area Networks (WANs), cellular networks, and any other pubicor private networks. In certain implementations, the encoded videoprogram may be directly streamed or otherwise transmitted to a socialmedia platform for viewing by the public, friends, or various othergroups of individuals.

Video processing device 12 contains processing hardware, such as aprocessor 24, a memory 26, and I/O features 28. I/O features 28 mayinclude a suitable universal serial bus port or other interface to oneor more external storage devices. While labeled simply as “memory 26” inFIG. 1, memory 26 generically represents all computer-readable storageareas of video processing device 12. Video processing device 12 containscomputer-readable instructions and logic, which may be realized in anycombination of hardware, firmware, and software generally. Thecomputer-readable instructions, when executed by video processing device12, support implementation of an AP 30 in accordance withpre-established standards, such as IEEE 802.11 or IEEE 802.14 standards.AP 30 may be implemented as a wireless receiver or transceiver includedwithin or operatively supported by video processing device 12 in anembodiment. Other non-illustrated APs may also be present in theenvironment, possibly sharing the same channels as those utilized by AP30.

During operation of video production system 10, video processing device12 communicates through wireless AP 30 with any number of client devices32, 34. As depicted in FIG. 1, client device 32 represents a dedicatedvideo input source including a camera 36. Client device 32 may provide avideo feed of the educational presentation to video processing device 12over a wired or wireless connection. Although only a single clientdevice 32 serving as a dedicated video feed is shown in FIG. 1 forclarity, it will be appreciated that video production system 10 caninclude any practical number of client devices 32 serving as dedicatedvideo input feeds. For example, in embodiments, multiple client devices32 having image capture capabilities may be positioned around an area inwhich the educational presentation occurs to provide a selection ofviewpoints. Such client devices 32 can be spatially fixed or may bemovable in some regard, such as by manual manipulation performed by ahuman operator, by remote control of motors or servos pointing orotherwise moving the device, by piloting a drone to which the clientdevice is mounted, and utilizing other approaches.

In certain instances, one or more client devices 32 may be capable ofcapturing imagery that cannot be seen by an ordinary human observer. Insome implementations, client devices 32 can include an imaging devicefor capturing imagery outside of the visible spectrum. For example,client devices 32 can include an infrared camera for capturing such asinfrared, an ultraviolet camera for capturing ultraviolet imagery, oranother camera for capturing electromagnetic energy outside of thevisible spectrum. In the medical context, client devices 32 can alsoprovide video feeds captured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)machine, x-ray equipment, computerized tomography image equipment,Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) devices, electrocardiogram (EKG)devices, and other devices, as well as miniaturized cameras insertedinto a patient's body, as discussed more fully below in conjunction withFIGS. 3-4.

In addition to or in lieu of client device 32, video processing device12 further communicates with a plurality of other client devices 34 viaAP 30. Client devices 34 are operated by members of the student audienceand are consequently referred to hereafter as “student-operated devices34.” Three such student-operated devices 34 are shown in FIG. 1;however, it will be appreciated that any practical number of devices 34can be utilized. Student-operated devices 32 can include mobile phones,wearable devices, tablets, laptops, and similar devices capable ofreceiving student commentary inputs and providing such inputs to videoprocessing device 12 via AP 30. Student-operated devices 32 may beloaded with and execute student commentary capture applications 38.Student-operated devices 32 may or may not have video capturecapabilities; e.g., as indicated in FIG. 1 by symbol 40 for theuppermost one of devices 32. When having video capture capabilities, astudent may utilize the appropriate device or devices 32 to record videoof the educational presentation and transmit such video to device 12 forpotential usage in interpreting the student commentary or inconstructing a particular annotated class discussion video. In suchembodiments, received video inputs may then be transmitted to videoprocessing device 12 via WIFI®, BLUETOOTH®, or other wirelessconnection, as appropriate. Alternative embodiments of system 10 canfacilitate communications with any other video capture devices invarious other manners.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, video processing device 12 furthercontains a controller 42 and an encoder 44. Controller 42 and/or encoder44 may be implemented as software logic stored in memory 26 and executedon processor 24. As a more specific example, controller 42 may beimplemented as a control application executing on processor 24 includinglogic for implementing the various processes described herein. In otherembodiments, the various functions and features may be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof executing onother components, as desired. Encoder 44, for example, may beimplemented using a dedicated video encoder chip in alternativeimplementations of video processing device 12. Regardless of theparticular manner in which the components of device 12 are implemented,video processing device 12 operates in response to user input suppliedby control device 16. Accordingly, control device 16 may correspond toany type of computing device containing at least one processor 46,memory 48, and I/O features 50. In various embodiments, control device16 assumes the form of a tablet, laptop computer, a mobile phone, orother computing device capable of executing a software application 52suitable for controlling the functions of system 10.

By way of generic example, software application 52 is depicted in FIG. 1as including a GUI, which presents various video feeds received fromclient device(s) 32 and possibly student-operated devices 34. Softwareapplication 52 further supports user selection of various feeds toencode or otherwise incorporate desired video content into the finalizedmedia product. Application 52 may include other displays to controlother behaviors or functionalities of video processing device 12, asdesired. Typically, control device 16 interacts with video processingdevice 12 via a wireless network, although wired connections could beequivalently employed. In operation, a student or other user acting as avideo producer executes application 52 to enable viewing of the variousvideo feeds available from one or more of client devices 32, 34. Theselected video feed is received from client devices 32, 34 by videoprocessing device 12. Video processing device 12 suitably compresses orotherwise encodes the selected video in an appropriate format foreventual viewing or distribution. Video encoding via encoder 44 occursaccording to any standard, non-standard, or other protocol, such asMPEG4. One or more video inputs may then be composited to produce afinal video, as discussed more fully below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a flowchart of a method 54 forgenerating annotated class discussion videos, which contain real-timestudent commentary and/or post-production annotations responsive tostudent commentary. Method 54 is suitably carried-out utilizing videoproduction system 10 shown in FIG. 1. Method 54 commences at PROCESSBLOCK 56 during which at least two processes are concurrently performed.At STEP 58, as the educational presentation progresses, one or morevideo input feeds of the educational presentation are captured (e.g.,via client devices 32, 34 shown in FIG. 1) and transmitted to videoprocessing device 12. At the same time, during the educationalpresentation, student commentary is collected utilizing student-operateddevices 34 executing applications 38. Such student commentary can beinitially stored on devices 34 and subsequently provided to videoprocessing device 12 as a single transmission at a designated time, suchas at the conclusion of the educational presentation. In otherinstances, student commentary is transmitted to video processing device12 in real-time or near real-time as the commentary is entered intostudent-operated devices 34. In either scenario, the student commentaryis tagged to appropriate timepoints in the educational presentation;that is, the timepoints at which each item of commentary was captured byone of devices 34 or submitted to device 12. For example, each item orinstance of student commentary may be timestamped with the current clocktime, a Presentation Time Stamp (PTS), or another measurement enablingthe student commentary to be synchronized to the video feed or feeds ofthe educational presentation. Such timestamps can be created byapplications 38 executing on student-operated devices 34; or, inembodiments in which the student commentary is submitted in real-time todevice 12, video processing device 12 may assign an appropriatetimestamp to student comments upon receipt thereof.

During STEP 60, the student commentary is provided to video processingdevice 12 as one or more data transmissions generally referred to hereinas “student commentary data.” Student-operated devices 34 may transmitstudent commentary data at any number of appropriate junctures to AP 30of video processing device 12 over a WLAN or other network utilizing,for example, WIFI® or BLUETOOTH® connections. The student commentarydata can include various types of information pertaining to theeducational information contained in the presentation and the studentobservers. For example, the student commentary data may containinformation reflecting the students' comprehension, perception, oropinion of the material contained in the educational presentation. Thisadvantageously permits virtually any number of students to submitquestions, offer suggestions pertaining to the final video output of theeducational presentation, or provide input indicating a lack ofunderstanding at various junctures throughout the educationalpresentation without interruption of the presentation.

The student commentary data can be captured as text input, such typedmessages or voice-to-text converted messages, entered intostudent-operated devices 34 executing student commentary captureapplication 38. Additionally or alternatively, the student commentarydata can be captured as audio files of messages spoken by the studentsand recorded via microphones included in student-operated devices 34. Asa still further possibility, embodiments of application 38 may enable astudent to draw images onto a touchscreen of a given device 34 utilizinga finger, a stylus, or other implement. The images may be still oranimated and, perhaps, superimposed over a captured frame of theeducational presentation or a short video clip thereof. The images maythen be submitted to video processing device 12 as student commentarydata during STEP 60 of method 54. This latter functionality may beparticularly useful when, for example, a live feed of the educationalpresentation is presented on devices 34 and a student can draw imagessuperimposed over the live feed, such as an arrow, circle, or the likeidentifying an object appearing in the video feed to which the submittedstudent commentary pertains. In yet other implementations, a student mayinteract with virtual buttons or other widgets presented on a GUI ofapplication 38 to convey useful information, such as a self-reported orsurveyed understanding levels of the student at a given stage of theeducational presentation.

After the educational presentation concludes, PROCESS BLOCK 56 (FIG. 2)terminates and method 54 advances to STEP 62. At STEP 62, videoprocessing device 12 utilizes the student submission data received fromstudent-operated devices 34 and the video input feeds provided by clientdevices 32 to generate a preliminary or raw commentary-containing video.In embodiments, the raw commentary-containing video may be generatedutilizing the video feed output compiled from the video feeds andselected, as appropriate, utilizing control device 16. Video processingdevice 12 may superimpose or otherwise visually combine the studentcommentary with this video output. As noted above, the studentcommentary is synchronized to appear in the raw commentary-containingvideo at appropriate timepoints during the educational presentation atwhich the commentary was created or received by video processing device12.

In certain embodiments, editing of student commentary may be permittedand carried-out utilizing control device 16. For example, writtenstudent comments containing misspellings or other grammatical errors maybe corrected, redundant or similar student comments may be condensedinto a single comment, inappropriate student comments may be deleted,and so on. The end result is raw commentary-containing video includingsynchronized student commentary, which can reviewed by an instructor toenhance the video through the addition of explanatory content, asdiscussed below in conjunction with STEP 64 of method 54 (FIG. 2). Inalternative embodiments, STEP 62 can be performed concurrently withSTEPS 58, 60 such that video processing device 12 combines studentcommentary with selected video feeds during the presentation(colloquially, “on the fly”) and then outputs the rawcommentary-containing video concurrent with or shortly after conclusionof the educational presentation.

Pursuant to STEP 62 of method 54, a finalized annotated class discussionvideo is created utilizing the raw commentary-containing video andadding post-production content responsive to the student commentary. Asindicated in FIG. 2 by arrow 68, this may involve instructor review ofthe raw commentary-containing video and further input by the instructor(e.g., into video processing device 12 utilizing control device 16 orother user interface) of responsive content addressing the studentcommentary. For example, in a relatively simple embodiment, aninstructor (e.g., a teacher, teacher's aid, a registered student, orother faculty member) may add textual replies or annunciation respondingto student commentary, which then appear in the finalized annotatedclass discussion video. Such textual replies may be superimposed overimagery of the educational presentation or otherwise formatted forappearance on the same display screen as is the digital recording of theeducational presentation; e.g., a sidebar or scrolling effect may beutilized to present the student commentary and the responsivepost-production content.

In certain embodiments, other post-production content can be created andintroduced into the finalized annotated class discussion video. Forexample, if student commentary indicates that a student is unfamiliarwith or could not visually locate a particular object during theeducational presentation (e.g., an anatomical feature during surgery ora particular mechanical component during a technical demonstrationinvolving a complex machine), post-production content can be created toshow an arrow, a highlighted circle, or similar imagery, whether staticor dynamic, which visually identifies the ambiguous object for addedclarity. As a further example, the video selections contained in theannotated raw video can be manipulated, as appropriate, to addressstudent comments; e.g., if a student comment indicates that it isdifficult for the student to visually discern a particular region of anitem shown during the educational presentation, post-production contentmay added by further presenting the corresponding region of the imagerymagnified by an appropriate zoom factor and presented as, for example, aPiP image. Various other types of post-production content can also becreated and integrated into the annotated class discussion video.Further editing and possible removal or alteration of selected studentcommentary may also be conducted at this stage of method 54, providingthat some form of post-production content is added to the annotatedclass discussion video responsive to the previously-collected studentcommentary.

Lastly, at STEP 66 of method 54, the annotated class discussion video isfinalized and stored. The annotated class discussion video may also bedisseminated in some manner. For example, the annotated class discussionvideo may be availed via an online portal or webpage to any desiredgroup of individuals, such as the students originally attending theeducational presentation and their classmates. In certain cases, theannotated class discussion video may be more widely availed to a largercommunity of researchers, students, or other individuals locatedanywhere throughout the world for on-demand viewing. Furthercollaborative editing may be permitted to allow the iterative creationof further versions of the annotated class discussion video, as may besupplemented by additional layering of post-production content createdby other instructors or knowledgeable individuals within the largerviewing audience. This, in effect, may allow a collaboratively-edited,peer-to-peer or crowd-sourced evolution of the annotated classdiscussion video similar to the manner in which a community-editedonline encyclopedia page (e.g., a WIKIPEDIA® page) is initially createdand maintained with communal updates. Regardless of whether suchadditional, iterative modifications of the time-phase annotated classdiscussion video are permitted, the annotated class discussion videoenables an instructor, such as a professor or administrator, toretroactively answer questions and provide additional points of clarity,while enabling such instructor replies to appear concomitantly with thestudent commentary upon viewing of the annotated class discussion video,if so desired. This, in turn, enhances the educational efficacy of theannotated class discussion video. Additionally, multiple students canconcurrently submit separate queries or other comments during aneducational presentation without interruption of the presentation and ininstances in which it is difficult or impractical for the instructor toimmediately answer such questions.

Turning next to FIG. 3, a potential implementation of method 54 (shownin FIG. 2) is presented to provide a more specific, albeit non-limitingexample of the applicability of the present disclosure. In thisparticular example, the educational presentation assumes the form of ateaching surgery performed on a patient 70. During this educationalpresentation, a group of medical students or surgical residents 72 viewthe teaching surgery from a galley, as generically depicted in the upperleft corner of FIG. 3. Medical students 72 are in possession of a numberof student-operated devices 74, with each student operating a particulardevice 74. Student-operated devices 74 can be supplied by the hospitalin which the surgery is performed or an institution otherwise affiliatedwith the teaching surgery. However, in many instances, student-operateddevices 74 will be owned by medical students 72 and may be, for example,smartphones, tablet computers, or wearable devices. Prior to theillustrated teaching surgery, a student commentary capture application76 has been loaded onto each student-operated device 74 (generallycorresponding to applications 38 shown in FIG. 2). When executed by theOS of each device 74, student commentary capture application 76 may beutilized to gather student commentary data 78 and, in certain instances,to capture video feeds 80 for submission to video process device 12(FIG. 1).

A number of dedicated video input sources 82 (generally corresponding toclient device 32 in FIG. 1) may be utilized to capture the teachingsurgery. As indicated in FIG. 3, video input sources 82 may include anumber external cameras 84 positioned around the Operating Room (OR) inwhich the teaching surgery is performed; e.g., cameras 84 may be mountedto different locations along the room and upper walls of the OR to avoidinterfering with the movement of the medical personnel. This is furtherschematically illustrated in FIG. 3 by the presence of additionalcameras 84′ positioned around the depicted OR. Additionally oralternatively, one or more of cameras 84 may be worn by a surgeon ormounted to movable arm, which suspended above patent 70 and can bemanually or remotely manipulated. Dedicated video input sources 82 mayalso include other specialized types of imagery input sources 86. Forexample, and as previously noted, such sources can include imagerycaptured of patient 70 not visible to an ordinary human observer, suchas infrared imagery or heat maps indicative of blood flow within aregion of the patient's body. In certain instances, imagesrepresentative of electrical brain activity may be recorded andpresented. As yet another example, alternative video sources 86 mayinclude miniaturized cameras of the type inserted into the body ofpatient 70 during a particular type of surgery or imaging procedure,such as laparoscopic surgery. Relatedly, real-time machine read-outs orother sensor data may be captured and provided to video processingdevice 12 (FIG. 1) for incorporation into the annotated raw video, asdescribed below. Regardless of the number and type of imaging devicesserving as video input sources 82, the output of such devices isprovided to video processing device 12 for usage in generating theannotated raw video, as indicated in FIG. 3 by arrow 88. Additionally,and as indicated by arrow 90, the video feeds captured by input sources82 may also be streamed to student-operated devices 74 for viewingutilizing application 76.

The functionality and GUI of student commentary capture application 76,and therefore the “look and feel” of application 76, will vary amongstembodiments. However, to provide an example of application 76 in anembodiment, additional reference will be made to FIG. 4 in conjunctionwith FIG. 3 in the following description. Referring jointly to thesedrawing figures, FIG. 4 sets-forth a screenshot 92 generated by one ofstudent-operated devices 74 (here, a smartphone) when executing studentcommentary capture application 76. Specifically, a GUI is presented on adisplay screen 94 of device 74, along with a live feed or streamed image96 of the educational presentation. As indicated above, streamed image96 may be captured by dedicated video input sources 82 and madeavailable to student-operated devices 74, whether by direct transmissionfrom input sources 82 to devices 74 or, more likely, by transmission ofthe streaming video feeds from sources 82, through video processingdevice 12, and to devices 74. In certain cases, student commentarycapture application 76 may also permit the students to actively switchbetween video streams of the teaching surgery by, for example, touchingor otherwise selecting a virtual button 98.

As previously indicated, in certain embodiments, real-time sensor datamay also be displayed via student commentary capture application 76. Asan example, an ECG readout 99 has further been incorporated into displayimagery 94 presented on student-operated device 74 shown in FIG. 4.Various other types of sensor data, whether describing patient vitalsign information or other information pertaining to the presentation athand, can be incorporated into the imagery presented to the students viadevices 74 in other embodiments. Additionally, such sensor or machineread-out data can be also be captured and displayed in final videoproducts described herein, as synchronized in time with the presentationto provide a real-time awareness of such sensor data in relation to theother imagery captured in the class discussion video.

As a particular student observes the teaching surgery, whether byviewing the surgery from the gallery, on display screen 94 of device 74,or a combination thereof, the medical student can submit questions,suggestions, and other commentary as desired. Again, this is indicatedin FIG. 3 by box 78, as well as by arrow 100. The student commentary maybe received in a variety of different formats, as permitted byapplication 76. For example, as indicated in FIG. 4, a text field 102may be provided on display screen 94 of device 74, which can be selectedby a student user and then utilized to enter typed messages; e.g., touchselection of field 102 may summon a virtual keyboard and allow entry oftyped messages in a manner similar to text message functionalitiesimplemented in the well-known manner. Furthermore, selection of icon 104(e.g., a virtual button) may enable verbal entry of text message viavoice-to-text conversion or recording of audio clips, which may then besubmitted to video processing device 12 as student commentary data.Similarly, selection of icon 106 may enable a video clip or digitalimage to be captured utilizing student-operated device 74 and thensubmitted in conjunction with the student commentary data. Thus, incertain instances and as previously described, a student operatingdevice 74 can capture video clips of the educational presentation andsubmit such video clips to video processing device 12 for usage ingenerating the raw commentary-containing video output at STEP 62 ofmethod 54 (FIG. 2). Finally, as indicated in FIG. 4 by graphics 108,110, other student commentary messages may be presented via the GUI ofapplication 76, if desired.

In certain embodiments, student commentary capture application 76 mayalso prompt a student operating device 74 for feedback indicating aself-reported understanding level. An example of such a prompt is shownin FIG. 4 as a sliding scale graphic 112 including a slider marker 114,which can be moved by touch-and-drag input along a sliding scale 116. Aslabeled, movement of slider marker 114 to the left in FIG. 4 indicatesthat the student viewer finds a particular portion of the educationalpresentation difficult to understand or unclear. Conversely, movement ofslider marker 114 to the right in FIG. 4 indicates that the studentviewer finds a particular portion of the educational presentation easyto understand or readily comprehendible. Thus, by gathering such studentinput data, and then reporting such data to video processing device 12,an indication can be generated on the raw commentary-containing video ofthe level of student understanding during various intervals of theeducation presentation. In this manner, if one or more students reportthat a particular segment of the education presentation is unclear ordifficult to understand, post-production explanatory content can beadded to aid in understanding this segment of the presentation.

Finally, as indicated in FIG. 3 at boxes 118, 120, video processingdevice 12 utilizes the live feeds of the educational presentation (here,the teaching surgery) captured by dedicated video input sources 82 and,perhaps, by student-operated devices 74 to generate a digital videorecording of the educational presentation. Again, selection of videoinputs provided by such video input sources may be controlled, inreal-time, utilizing control device 16 (FIG. 1). Additionally, studentcommentary may be presented in the resulting raw commentary-containingvideo at the appropriate timepoints; that is, such that the studentcommentary is synchronized with the video content to appear at theactual time during the educational presentation at which each studentcommentary item was generated or submitted to video processing device12. Afterwards, as represented by box 120, the professor performing thesurgery, other faculty members, or registered students can then view therecording and introduce post-production content to generate a finalizedversion of the classroom discussion video. Such post-production contentcan include commentary or other annotations, such as audio or textualexplanations addressing the questions submitted by the students.Finally, as indicated in FIG. 3 by cloud symbol 122, the final versionof the annotated class discussion video may be uploaded to the cloud orotherwise made accessible to intended viewers. If desired, and asindicated by graphic 124, the annotated class discussion video may beavailed to a wider community of researchers/students across the world inreal-time and for on-demand viewing.

There has thus been provided multiple exemplary embodiments of videoproduction systems and methods for generating annotated class discussionvideos, which contain real-time student commentary, post-productionannotations responsive to student commentary, and combinations thereof.Embodiments of the video production system include a video processingdevice, which receives wireless input signals from multiplestudent-operated devices during a particular teaching lesson oreducational presentation. As a subsequent juncture, the video processingdevice generates a preliminary or raw commentary-containing videoincluding a visual recordation of the educational presentation asconstructed from the dedicated video feeds and, perhaps, from additionalvideo feeds captured by one or more of the students utilizing thestudent-operated devices. An instructor then views the rawcommentary-containing video and utilizes the video processing device tomodify the video to include content responsive to the studentcommentary. The post-production content is combined with the rawcommentary-containing video, which may remain in its original form ormay be modified in some manner (e.g., by the removal or editing ofselected student commentary), to yield an collaboratively-enhanced,annotated class discussion video, which may then be made available forviewing.

In at least some instances, the annotated class discussion video may beavailed to a larger (e.g., worldwide) community, which can further edit,pose questions related to, and otherwise interact with the classdiscussion video to create, in effect, a community-edited,Internet-accessible educational resource similar to an onlinecommunity-edited encyclopedia page or entry. In such instances, theannotated class discussion video may further be aggregated with a numberof other annotated class discussion video to create an online repositoryof annotated, community-edited videos on various educational topics.

In the above-described manner, the class-discussion video can provide aneffective teaching tool, which enables instances of student confusion orincomprehension to be addressed without interruption of thepresentation. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure can beadvantageously utilized to aid in educating remotely-located studentswho may not otherwise have physical access to local facilities requiredor useful in learning, such as a local laboratory utilized in teachingchemistry, physics, biology, mechanical engineering, or the like.Additionally, when multiple cameras are positioned around a presentationarea and then utilized to produce the raw commentary-containing video orthe annotated class discussion video, a remotely-located student maystill view the presentation at multiple angles (and, perhaps, view 360°video content). Concurrently, utilizing the systems and methodsdescribed above, such a remotely-located student can still effectivelyinteract with an instructor despite a physical separation of, forexample, hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of miles between theremotely-located student and the instructor.

The term “exemplary” is used herein to represent one example, instanceor illustration that may have any number of alternates. Anyimplementation described herein as “exemplary” should not necessarily beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Whileseveral exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoingdetailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number ofalternate but equivalent variations exist, and the examples presentedherein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, orconfiguration of the invention in any way. To the contrary, variouschanges may be made in the function and arrangement of the variousfeatures described herein without departing from the scope of the claimsand their legal equivalents. Finally, numerical identifiers, such as“first” and “second,” have been utilized in the foregoing DetailedDescription to reflect an order of introduction of similar elements orfeatures in at least some instances. Such numerical identifiers may alsobe utilized in the subsequent Claims to reflect the order ofintroduction therein. As the order of introduction of such elements orfeatures may vary between the Detailed Description and the Claims, theusage of such numerical identifiers may also vary accordingly.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method carried-out by a video production systemincluding a video processing device and a display device, the methodcomprising: receiving, at the video processing device, a first videoinput stream from a first dedicated video input source capturing aneducational presentation; further receiving, at the video processingdevice, peer commentary data received from a plurality of peer-operateddevices during the educational presentation; utilizing at least thefirst video input stream, producing a raw commentary-containing video ofthe educational presentation containing synchronized peer commentaryderived from the peer commentary data; outputting the rawcommentary-containing video for viewing to a peer community wherein theraw commentary-containing video is accessible by peer operated devices;permitting editing in a collaborative manner by the peer community onthe peer operated devices of the raw commentary-containing video;creating, by the peer community, a crowd sourced commentary by iterativeversions of the raw commentary-containing video wherein the crowdsourced commentary comprises supplemental commentary in the rawcommentary-containing video provided by collaborative editing on peeroperated devices; and receiving the peer commentary data, at least inpart, as touch input data collected by peer commentary captureapplication executed by the peer-operated devices wherein the touchinput is received via a prompt of a sliding marker from movement by thetouch input on a graphic scale at the peer-operated device which isindicative of self-reported peer understanding levels.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: in conjunction with receiving the firstvideo input stream at the video processing device, concurrentlyreceiving a second video input stream from a second dedicated videoinput source capturing the educational presentation; and combiningselected portions of the first video input stream with selected portionsof the second video input stream when producing the rawcommentary-containing video of the educational presentation.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: in conjunction with receiving thefirst video input stream at the video processing device, concurrentlyreceiving real-time sensor data during the educational presentation; andwhen producing the raw commentary-containing video of the educationalpresentation, incorporating a visual representation of the real-timesensor data into the raw commentary-containing video.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: after outputting the rawcommentary-containing video, receiving at the video processing deviceexplanatory content responsive to the synchronized peer commentarycontained in commentary-containing video; and utilizing the videoprocessing device to further generate an annotated class discussionvideo of the educational presentation including the explanatory content.5. The method of claim 4 further comprising: generating the explanatorycontent, at least in part, as graphics superimposed onto the first videoinput stream and visually identifying objects visible during theeducational presentation.
 6. The method of claim 4 further comprising:generating the explanatory content, at least in part, as textual oraudible replies to the synchronized peer commentary.
 7. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: receiving the peer commentary data, at leastin part, as text messages directed to the wireless receiver by a peercommentary capture application executed by the peer-operated devices. 8.The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving additional videoinput feeds of the educational presentation from the peer-operateddevices.
 9. A video production system utilized in conjunction with adisplay device, the video production system comprising: a controllerconfigured to receive a first video input stream from a dedicated videoinput source during an educational presentation; a wireless receivercoupled to the controller and configured to provide thereto studentcommentary data received from a plurality of student-operated devicesduring the educational presentation; and a memory storingcomputer-readable instructions that, when executed by the controller,cause the video production system to: generate a rawcommentary-containing video of the educational presentation containingsynchronized student commentary derived from the student commentarydata; output the raw commentary-containing video for viewing to astudent community wherein the raw commentary-containing video isaccessible by student-operated devices; permit edit in a collaborativemanner by the student community on the student-operated devices of theraw commentary-containing video; create, by the student community, acrowd sourced commentary by iterative versions of the rawcommentary-containing video wherein the crowd sourced commentarycomprises supplemental commentary in the raw commentary-containing thevideo provided by collaborative editing on student-operated devices;receive the student commentary data, at least in part, as touch inputdata collected by student commentary capture application executed by thestudent-operated devices wherein the touch input data is received via aprompt of a sliding marker from movement by touch input on a graphicscale at the student-operated device which is indicative ofself-reported student understanding levels received via thestudent-operated device.
 10. The video production system of claim 9wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by thecontroller, further cause the video production system to: in conjunctionwith receiving the first video input stream at the video processingdevice, concurrently receive a second video input stream from a seconddedicated video input source capturing the educational presentation; andcombine selected portions of the first video input stream with selectedportions of the second video input stream when producing the rawcommentary-containing video of the educational presentation.
 11. Thevideo production system of claim 9 wherein the computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the controller, further cause the videoproduction system to: in conjunction with receiving the first videoinput stream at the video processing device, concurrently receivereal-time sensor data during the educational presentation; and whenproducing the raw commentary-containing video of the educationalpresentation, incorporate a visual representation of the real-timesensor data into the raw commentary-containing video.
 12. The videoproduction system of claim 9 wherein the computer-readable instructions,when executed by the controller, further cause the video productionsystem to: after outputting the raw commentary-containing video, receiveexplanatory content responsive to the synchronized student commentarycontained in commentary-containing video; and generate an annotatedclass discussion video of the educational presentation including theexplanatory content.
 13. The video production system of claim 12 whereinthe computer-readable instructions, when executed by the controller,further cause the video production system to: generate the explanatorycontent, at least in part, as graphics superimposed onto the first videoinput stream and visually identifying objects visible during theeducational presentation.
 14. The video production system of claim 12wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by thecontroller, further cause the video production system to: generate theexplanatory content, at least in part, as textual or audible replies tothe synchronized student commentary.
 15. The video production system ofclaim 9 wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by thecontroller, further cause the video production system to: receive thestudent commentary data, at least in part, as text messages directed tothe wireless receiver by a student commentary capture applicationexecuted by the student-operated devices.
 16. The video productionsystem of claim 9 wherein the computer-readable instructions, whenexecuted by the controller, further cause the video production systemto: receive additional video input feeds of the educational presentationfrom the student-operated devices.